Spider block and a shared tip!!

Sometimes when doing a slanted satin stitch on a large or irregular shape, it is hard to keep your stitches consistent and in line. At least it's hard for me anyway.. To solve this problem I make spaced slant lines to keep me on track. The bottom leaf is finished. The next leaf up is one I added spaced slant lines to use as a guide. The spacing doesn't matter as they will be covered. The top leave is in progress and shows how I use the slant lines. This is especially helpful on things like leaves, fans, etc where there is an angle and the shape expands...

Below is the entire block.. As soon as I finish these last two leaves I will begin the spider webs (2 of them)...and then the secret surprise at the bottom of the block!!! In case you hadn't noticed I will point out something on Lauri's addition that delights me when I see it. She added the bluebird and then let her work amble down and "tiptoe" into the green and rust spaces of the next stitchers... A very subtle and wonderful design elements for bringing blocks together.... Noone has done a traditional seam treatment...takes the pressure off me... LOL